How to set up a peripatetic veterinary dermatology service
Peripatetic veterinary dermatology allows vets to deliver specialised dermatological care through a network of veterinary practices. This model not only offers flexibility and autonomy for vets but also enhances convenience and accessibility for clients by bringing expert care to their local practice. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to operate a peripatetic veterinary dermatology service, the qualifications and skills required to succeed, and the essential considerations for setting up your practice. We’ll also provide insights into building strong partnerships with host practices, managing logistics, and ensuring top-notch service delivery.
What is a peripatetic vet practice?
A peripatetic vet practice is a mobile veterinary service in which a vet travels between multiple ‘host’ practices to provide care. Unlike traditional stationary practices, a peripatetic veterinarian operates without a fixed clinic, offering services directly at other veterinary facilities.
Peripatetic veterinary dermatology offers numerous advantages for both vets and clients. Vets benefit from flexibility and autonomy, setting their own schedules and focusing solely on dermatology. Clients and practices also reap significant benefits. Clients gain convenient access to specialised care in veterinary dermatology without the need for extensive travel, enhancing their overall experience. Furthermore, clients benefit from the comfort and familiarity of receiving care within their regular veterinary practice.
However, there are some key points you need to take into consideration before starting a peripatetic veterinary dermatology service. Success in peripatetic dermatology hinges on strong relationships, effective communication, and unwavering professionalism. Establishing and nurturing strong relationships with host practices is essential, requiring clear and consistent communication, dependable service delivery, and an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of care.
What qualifications do I need to be a veterinary dermatologist?
Establishing a successful peripatetic veterinary dermatology service requires specialised knowledge and experience. As a minimum, a certificate in veterinary dermatology like the Improve Veterinary Education Postgraduate Certificate in Dermatology is advisable. This comprehensive 100% online CPD programme offers 14 in-depth modules in veterinary dermatology. You’ll develop your understanding of common symptoms such as pruritus, pigmentation, alopecia, and ulceration, as well as challenging conditions like immune-medicated skin diseases, neoplasia, and infectious conditions. The result? You will develop your confidence in diagnosing and treating dermatological cases and conditions, and your new veterinary qualification will enable you to work more confidently. You may also want to consider applying for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status in order to further evidence your skills, once you have achieved the postgraduate certificate.
You will develop your confidence in diagnosing and treating dermatological cases and conditions, and your new veterinary qualification will enable you to work more confidently.
What else does my peripatetic veterinary dermatology service need?
While dermatology lends itself well to peripatetic practice as there isn’t a huge need for equipment, you will need some other things:
- Equipment: depending on your agreements with your host practices (and the equipment they have available), you may need some diagnostic tools. A good quality otoscope (or video otoscope), basic diagnostic tools (thermometer, stethoscope) and a microscope, slides, and dyes are a minimum. You may also want to carry allergy testing equipment (if you plan to offer allergy testing services).
- Professional liability insurance: You’ll need your own liability insurance and potentially business insurance as well. Talk to the Veterinary Defense Society (VDS) or another indemnity insurance provider to ensure everything is covered.
- Accounting: as you’ll be self-employed you need to register as such or set up a limited company. To talk you through the pros and cons, including any implications of IR35, it might be sensible to involve an accountant.
- Legal and regulatory compliance: ensure you check all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including the RCVS Code of Conduct (for out-of-hours provision requirements) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) if you intend to carry medicines.
- Marketing and communication: In most cases, you won’t need much marketing – once you’ve developed your relationships with your host practices, they’ll find your patients for you. However, if you plan to cover a wide area or take other referrals, it makes sense to develop a professional website, business cards, and clear communication channels for referrals.
- Scheduling and logistics: Again, in most cases the scheduling and record-keeping will be down to your host practices. However, you’ll need to ensure they have adequate systems in place (see below). You may also need a system for managing client communications (eg for follow-up calls or results) – depending how you set up your schedule and agreements, you can again use host practice tools, or you may decide to get a business mobile or run telemedicine consultations as part of follow-up.
Things to consider when talking to host practices about your new veterinary dermatology peripatetic service
To successfully offer veterinary dermatology services across neighboring practices, you should first identify and reach out to practices local to you that lack a veterinary dermatologist. Begin by preparing a detailed list of benefits, emphasising how these services can enhance the host practice’s offerings, attract new clients, and improve patient outcomes. During discussions, you should collaborate with each practice to agree on a fair fee structure for their services and provide guidance on how to charge clients accordingly.
Additionally, it’s advised that you think about supplementary services that could be integrated, such as intradermal allergy testing, and support the host practice in establishing appropriate client fees for these services. It’s also essential to discuss and agree on any additional drugs or supplies that might need to be stocked to facilitate your diagnoses and treatments.
Finally, you and the host practices should collaboratively develop a feasible timetable to ensure the veterinary dermatology services are delivered efficiently and align with the needs of each practice. E.g. you might go to four practices, so that you’re always in the same practice on a Monday, or you might have a more complex timetable, covering a wider base over a fortnight. Larger practices may need you more frequently, while smaller practices may only need you for a half day to start with. You might want to arrange to finish by 3pm for childcare, or there might be certain days you aren’t willing to travel outside of a certain radius. Building strong partnerships and providing a tailored approach will help ensure the successful integration of these specialised dermatology services.
Conclusion
Setting up a peripatetic veterinary dermatology service requires careful planning, specialised expertise, and strong relationships with your host practices. By providing high-quality, convenient, and accessible care, you can create a successful and rewarding career while addressing a critical need in the veterinary community.
Does being your own boss and setting up a veterinary dermatology service sound like a great idea? Explore our Postgraduate Certificate in Dermatology to get started on your certificate today!